Dons come from behind to defeat Staggies

Aberdeen came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory against Ross County at Victoria Park.

The Staggies had taken an early lead just 80 seconds into the match when Craig Curran nodded home, however Mark Reynolds’ volley restored parity midway through the first-half.

Defender Shay Logan netted the winner less than 20 minutes from the end with a header, keeping intact the Dons’ 100% start to the league campaign.

County made two changes from the side defeated 3-2 in the Betfred Cup by Motherwell in midweek, with former Caley Thistle midfielder Ross Draper pitched in for his debut by manager Jim McIntyre. He replaced Tim Chow, who was sidelined with a head injury, while Ryan Dow and Sean Kelly also dropped out, with Kenny van der Weg and Craig Curran drafted in.

For the Dons, all eyes were on new signing Stevie May, who led the line for the first time since his move from Preston North End. He replaced Nicky Maynard, while Gary Mackay-Steven and Greg Stewart also came in for Scott Wright and Ryan Christie.

County made the perfect start, taking the lead after just 82 seconds when Curran rose to steer Christopher Routis’ free-kick past Joe Lewis from close-range.

It was a fine start by the Staggies and they continued to threaten, with Christopher Routis firing a cushioned volley over from the edge of the box.

The Dons’ first attempt came on 13 minutes when Kenny McLean dispossessed Jamie Lindsay to open up a shooting chance, with his powerful effort from the edge of the box beaten to safety by Scott Fox.

The Dons grew in encouragement and they levelled on 23 minutes, with Greg Tansey’s corner only partially cleared by Andrew Davies, sitting up perfectly for Reynolds to rifle home a superb first-time volley from 15 yards.

The Reds looked in the mood following their equaliser, with May seeing a low shot from the edge of the box saved by Fox, while Tansey sent an effort wide from long-range.

County remained a threat however, with Dons goalkeeper Lewis flapping at Michael Gardyne’s delivery on 35 minutes, with the ball landing at the feet of Jason Naismith, but he was unable to guide the ball home.

The visitors nearly got their noses in front on 53 minutes when May’s floated delivery from the left was headed goalwards by Greg Stewart, forcing Fox to make a fingertip save.

The Reds came close again five minutes later, with Tansey seeing his effort palmed by Fox, with the ball quickly falling to May who lashed over from close-range.

The Dons did make their breakthrough on 71 minutes, when Gary Mackay-Steven’s cross to the far post found Logan, who rose to bullet a header past Fox from close-range.

The Dons were in control but a moment of slackness nearly allowed County back into it, with Considine trying to head the ball back to Lewis, only for the ball to land to substitute Thomas Mikkelsen who could not direct the ball into the net.

County were inches away from a late equaliser when substitute Jim O’Brien struck a thundering effort from the 30 yards that swerved off the face of the crossbar, however the Reds held on